More than a party
I was at a very cool, hip and awesome 4th of July party that started on Monday and ended on Tuesday night, and I met several new and interesting people there. I also ran into many friends, old and new. We each showed up to this private, invite-only shindig that some folks (who were not invited or unable to attend) had big time FOMO for. That being said, what I noticed above all was not the amazing decor and countless ways to play on this spectacular property, the oh-so-fashionable and beautiful people (they were!) or even the majesty of being at this huge house perched high above the beach overlooking the ocean as far as the eye could see.
Rather, it was the humanity of each person there that moved me. It was the generosity of our hosts and the playfulness, inclusiveness and warmth of each and every guest. Here I was among a large group of people who, to an outsider, might look like the luckiest, most fashionable, beautiful and enviable people around. At first glance, one could have assumed that these were a bunch of rich, entitled "Malibu folks", lounging around drinking champagne by the pool. But if one looked closer, it's evident that much more is going on. One of our friends recently had a stroke and watching her partner and community rally around her in support was beautiful. Another friend is fighting cancer and being held by her friends and family in such powerful ways, so moving. Another just lost his job and I heard as another guest offered him help in finding a new one. On and on. There were around 100 people there and as I spoke to many of them, connected and got real with them, I was reminded that we are all the same. Just humans being human, and trying to figure shit out while we navigate what life throws us, love each other and find our joy where we can. Income, size of home, car, clothing and bank account - truly irrelevant. What's real and what matters: our heart. Who we are being in the world, in our lives, at this party. And that came through as well. I could see pain, heartache, sorrow, joy, elation, deep connection, anger, distraction, laughter, musicality, creativity, generosity and love - it was all there, as it is in life and the location, the environment and what people were wearing had little to do with it. It's how each of us shows up in the world and with each other that tells who we are. And this group of people, they LOVE each other. They hold each other up. They celebrate each person's individuality and uniqueness in ways I rarely see. To be part of that is a real gift.
Rather, it was the humanity of each person there that moved me. It was the generosity of our hosts and the playfulness, inclusiveness and warmth of each and every guest. Here I was among a large group of people who, to an outsider, might look like the luckiest, most fashionable, beautiful and enviable people around. At first glance, one could have assumed that these were a bunch of rich, entitled "Malibu folks", lounging around drinking champagne by the pool. But if one looked closer, it's evident that much more is going on. One of our friends recently had a stroke and watching her partner and community rally around her in support was beautiful. Another friend is fighting cancer and being held by her friends and family in such powerful ways, so moving. Another just lost his job and I heard as another guest offered him help in finding a new one. On and on. There were around 100 people there and as I spoke to many of them, connected and got real with them, I was reminded that we are all the same. Just humans being human, and trying to figure shit out while we navigate what life throws us, love each other and find our joy where we can. Income, size of home, car, clothing and bank account - truly irrelevant. What's real and what matters: our heart. Who we are being in the world, in our lives, at this party. And that came through as well. I could see pain, heartache, sorrow, joy, elation, deep connection, anger, distraction, laughter, musicality, creativity, generosity and love - it was all there, as it is in life and the location, the environment and what people were wearing had little to do with it. It's how each of us shows up in the world and with each other that tells who we are. And this group of people, they LOVE each other. They hold each other up. They celebrate each person's individuality and uniqueness in ways I rarely see. To be part of that is a real gift.
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